I’ve been reading up on the Abstract Expressionists lately and have found myself completely enraptured by the movement and the entire era.  Working intuitively, many abstract artists set out without a clue as to where their composition will ultimately end up.  The work is an extension of who they are in that moment in time– a big part of what fascinates me about abstract work and abstract expressionism.  In the work of Heather Chontos, I see much of that same intuitiveness and freedom.

Heather made a name for herself in the world of fashion publications, styling and set designing for the likes of Barneys & Anthropologie.  And in these abstract works, there carries over that sense of composition, you can almost see her rearranging her shapes and lines on each canvas, much in the same way she might stage & style for a shoot– moving things around until it feels just right.  She isn’t afraid to let us in on that process, too.  Smudges in charcoal and paint let us know where perhaps she switched out one shape or line for another.

Of course, there is beauty in the slick and perfectly painted canvas– but often being able to let go of our need for perfection and allow ourselves to be vulnerable as artists is a deeper challenge.  It is an act of truly putting yourself out there, there is no hiding, you are laid out on canvas for all the world to see.  Completely scary, for sure, but amazingly liberating, too.

One of my own resolutions  goals for 2014 is to get serious about painting again.  I’ll be starting a little daily exercise over on Instagram ( come follow along! ) and will share more on that later this week.  It’s a daunting prospect, especially as I hope to be busy with freelance work too, this year, but my heart is longing for it.  Artists like Heather are reminding me that the work isn’t always about the result but about learning from the process.

To see more of Heather Chontos’ work, please visit her website, and follow her on Facebook & Instagram.  You can purchase her work through the Milk Farm Road shop.

All images are via the artist’s website.